ADVOCACY COORDINATOR

Tess Monty is a Southeastern Wisconsin native who, like many, fell in love with the WNC atmosphere and soon called the Blue Ridge home. Growing up, she used maladaptive coping mechanisms to deal with early childhood trauma which eventually led her to use opiates, narcotics, and hallucinogenics. After a battle with an episodic period of traumatic symptoms, she tried to stay clean in 2019. When she did not remove herself from her former associates and the lifestyle she was trying to run from, she found herself in a fleeing and eluding accident that claimed the life of her best friend. She was sentenced to 3 years in the Department of Corrections at age 22.

While in the system Tess was exposed to systematic inequities and flaws that disproportionately affected the Native American population and People of Color from reservations and segregated areas of WI state. In the system, Tess saw her roommate denied health services except for COPD breathing treatment while in the D.O.C. The reason is that the D.O.C could not address additional health concerns due to “time remaining” on her roommate, Dawn’s sentence. Dawn passed away five days after her release due to kidney and liver failure.

Now returning to the Appalachian mountains after navigating the system and utilizing resources to prove her revival and restoration, Tess seeks purpose by helping returning citizens receive the continuity of care they deserve. While WI state and NC may differ, the transferable experience of Incarceration in conjunction with Tess’ ability to overcome at all costs, landed her a conversation with Mr. Philip Cooper in early 2023. Tess now serves as a Certified Community Health Worker and Peer Support Specialist in the position of Advocacy Coordinator for Operation Gateway.